Toddlers are inquisitive and energetic beings. Their excitement and curiosity may keep you on your toes, though. Baby gates are safety barriers that keep babies out of potentially harmful locations like kitchens, fireplaces, and staircases.
Baby gates can also be used to keep pets away from children and vice versa. They’re best for babies between the ages of six months and two years. Baby gates give parents the assurance that their child is safe.
What To Look For In A Baby Gate?
A reliable, safe, durable, and easy-to-use baby gate can be one of the best investments for new parents. Read on to know what to look for when buying one.
Safety
Look for a JPMA or the American Society for Testing certified baby gate, as this means it meets the juvenile product standards and is safe for the baby.
Functionality And Security
Whether you need a gate for a doorway or a corridor, or to keep the infant away from a fireplace or a stairway, will determine how safe and secure the gate should be.
For more hazardous places, a more stringent security level is vital to prevent accidents. Hardware-mounted gates are often installed in these areas as they are sturdier and more secure.
Installation and operation
Gates can either be pressure mounted or hardware mounted. Pressure-mounted gates are easy to install. They stick to the walls using adhesives. They are the best option if you need to shift houses or move the gate from one doorway to another.
Hardware-mounted gates are bolted or screwed to the doorframe or the wall. They are a more permanent solution and involve holes and screws.
The gate must be easily operable by the parents (even single-handedly) but difficult for the baby to open or close. The gate must close easily, indicating that the latch has engaged properly.
Width
The gates are installed between openings, but the width of openings varies. Gates with adjustable width offer solutions to this problem. Some even have extenders that you can use to accommodate a wide range of doorways.
Gaps And Footholds
The gaps between the bars should be narrow so that the baby cannot squeeze through them or get stuck while trying to get through. They must also be sturdy and rigid so that the toddler cannot pull the bars apart to create a wider space.
The gate must be tall so that the baby cannot climb over. It should not have horizontal bars that the baby may use to make its way up.
3 Best Baby Gates For Bottom Of Stairs With Only One Wall
Now that we have established the best features to look for in a baby gate, let’s check out the top 3 baby gates for the bottom of stairs with only one wall.
1. Summer Banister and Stair Gate
The Summer Banister and Stair Gate is ideal for most doorways and staircases. It is perfect for openings between 32 and 48 inches wide. It is 33 inches tall, so it is difficult for babies to climb over.
The gate comes with a dual installation kit that allows wall to wall, wall to banister, and banister to banister installations.
You can easily install the gate without drilling, and it has a quick-release mechanism for easy removal. This wooden gate with a honey oak finish will surely add style and elegance to your home.
- Easy installation and removal
- The gate accommodates various openings
- At 12.8 pounds, the gate is quite heavy
- Poor customer service from the manufacturer
2. Regalo 2-in-1 Extra Tall Baby Gate
The Regalo 2-in-1 Extra Tall Baby Gate is sturdy and versatile. It is 38-inches tall, offering greater protection to kids and pets.
It is ideal for doorways and stair openings between 24 and 40.5 inches wide. The metal gate can be hardware mounted to the wall for added security. The gate swings open easily, thanks to a simple rotating latch.
You can easily uninstall the gate and store it. Reinstallation is a breeze as the gate comes with a built-in leveler, adjustable panels, hardware mounting kit, and screws.
- Safer with hardware mounting
- Suitable for tall and older babies
- Accommodates various openings and wider spaces.
- The instruction manual for gate installation is confusing
- Drilling required
- The latching mechanism allows the gate to open in only one direction
3. Tall Easy Swing & Lock Gate By Toddleroo
Toddleroo has been keeping babies safe for over 60 years now.
The heavy-duty steel gate has closely spaced vertical bars and is hard to climb over, as it is 36 inches tall. The gate can be hardware mounted for more security.
You can easily disassemble the gate from the mounts when it is not in use. It is ideal for rooms with openings ranging from 29 to 47.5 inches wide.
The gate has a simple swing mechanism that is easy to operate with one hand. It swings only in one direction to avoid the risk of swinging over stairs. Also, it has no threshold, which eliminates the risk of tripping.
The baby gate is durable with a stylish and elegant finish that adds beauty to your home. It is perfect for babies between 6 and 24 months of age.
- Hard to climb over
- One way swing direction
- One-hand operation
- No threshold
- Only for babies up to 2 years
Can You Use Pet Gates For Babies?
While both baby gates and pet gates can keep babies and pets safe and restrict them to an area, there are many differences between the two.
Although you may use some gates for both babies and pets, you cannot use some baby gates for large dogs who can easily jump over, and similarly, some pet gates cannot adequately secure children.
Usually, pet gates are more robust and can also serve as baby gates. However, you will need to supervise your baby constantly if you choose freestanding pet gates.
Wrapping Up
Baby gates make life much easier by safely securing your baby and reducing the risk of accidents. Take a closer look at our top picks to select the one most suitable for you.
